Charles and Telford

[jpdiver]

I dove Charles for the first time last Thursday using sidemount. The entrace was not as difficult as I expected. It is low but had no problem getting in. Once past the first 50 feet it opened up and I was surprised how interesting this system is. Vis was 20 to 30 feet and a moderate flow.There are many T's on the way in. I went past 5. In each case I just chose what appeared to be the largest tunnel since it was my first time. The first 600 feet or so has a very fine deep clay silt bottom. Then it changed to a very white sand like bottom that is rippled. There were some low duck unders but overall the tunnnels were larger than I expected. I went in about 1400' but have no idea where I was. Wish there was a map available. You can spend a lot of time here exploring all the passages which I intend to do as it is a very nice system. Max depth was 25' average about 16'. The dive was 50 minutes in and 27 out. Didn't hit thirds for the whole dive.

Next day did Telford. The spring is very clear as is the tunnel up through the two sinks. Then the vis dropped to about 20 feet. However, once through the Rolaids section and entering what some call the Peacock section it dropped to about 10 feet. Disappointing since this is one of my favorite sections. It improved somewhat up the expressway tunnel and I continued to the right at the rat T. When I got to Ripple Canyon, the vis increased to 60 feet or more. It was crystal clear. Best part of the dive. Went maybe 50 feet beyond the canyon and turned.